Fasken moves forward with apartments, retail

Published 5:22 pm, Monday, August 6, 2012

A 364-unit apartment complex and space for retail development are among the next additions slated for Fasken Land & Minerals Ltd.'s master-planned community in northwest Midland.

The Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday unanimously approved a zone change for a 26.28-acre housing development and for an about 12-acre retail tract in Fasken Land & Minerals development, which is being called "The Vineyard." The City Council now will consider the zone change requests.

The company already is in the process of constructing a roughly 60,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in the area. Fasken plans to allow for the addition of the apartment complex, retail, single-family housing, townhomes and a school, if Midland Independent School District expands, officials said.

The apartments and retail zone discussed Monday would sit on the west side of Holiday Hill Road, about 880 feet north of Mockingbird Lane, said Jim Compton, senior planner with the city.

Fasken would develop the apartment complex and has proposed to construct 14 two-story apartment buildings that would sit on about 22 acres. Carports and a clubhouse with a swimming pool also are planned, Compton said.

With a total 364 units planned, Fasken has proposed a density of just more than the 16 units per acre that's called for in the city's code.

However, Compton said there is a movement to increase the permitted density because developers are telling the city it's often not economically feasible to build at densities of 16 units per acre.

The City Council approved a complex recently that could have up to 21 units per acre.

Officials with Fasken said they hope to begin construction by the end of the year and have the complex completed within 12 months of its groundbreaking.

Along with development, Fasken also drills from its property and plans to integrate its oil and gas activity into the community that's been planned.

"If Midland is going to grow, it will have to expand in conjunction with oil and gas development," Norbert Dickman, Fasken's general manager, told the Reporter-Telegram earlier. "This won't be just an office building but a development where we see the two industries can grow together."

Fasken wasn't the only company seeking approval Monday for the addition of an apartment complex.

Jim Roachelle, a developer from California, is part of a group requesting a zone change that would allow for the construction of a 52-unit apartment complex on the northwest corner of West Illinois Avenue and Delmar Street.

Eric West, engineer with Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, said the developer's plans call for two buildings, each with 26 units. Some storage units for tenants and three enclosed garages also are planned.

Like others who've come before the Planning and Zoning Commission recently, West said the developer is requesting a higher density than permitted in the city's code.

However, he said, with the lower number of units at this property and the main thoroughfares nearby, the developer believes the density is feasible.

"The concentration of people is actually not that high for the smaller lot," he said.

Commissioner Jane Wolf said while she's often cautious of higher densities, Roachelle's request was an appropriate one because of its location and its smaller unit total.

The zone request was approved unanimously by the commission. The City Council also will have to approve the request.

The complexes discussed Monday join a growing list of developments in the works.

Kolt Development has plans to add the "Wall Street Lofts" at Main and Wall streets. Complexes also have been discussed for near the ClayDesta Towers and near Business 20 and Loop 250.

In other business on Monday:

- Final plats were approved for two sections of the Woodland Park Addition, which is located on the west side of North "A" Street just north of Mockingbird Lane.

Mark Payne Homes is developing the area and plans to add a total of 81 homes between the two sections. About 145 homes already are under construction in the area, Payne said.

After this addition, Payne said the development will be stopped until a secondary connection from the west becomes available. At this point, the entire subdivision is accessed from "A" Street and Mockingbird Lane. The extension of Mockingbird Lane, which would allow for additional access, is in the city's master plan, Compton said. But, the city doesn't have all of the necessary right-of-way and has not yet decided what route it will take in completing the road.

- Midland International Airport was given approval for a zone change on a lot near Sloan Field Boulevard and Windecker Street. The city plans to open the lot for sale to developers that are interested in adding a hotel.

- A zone change was approved that will allow for the addition of three patio homes on the northwest corner of Tarleton Street and Shell Avenue. The lot is currently occupied by what's becoming a dilapidated structure and the developer said they wanted to put something viable in the area.